Domestic Violence

Domestic violence in India refers to any act of violence, which includes physical, mental, and emotional abuse, or harm to a woman's body, or economic exploitation that is caused by the husband or her in-laws during her stay in her marital house / shared household. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is the law protecting women from domestic violence in our country. If a woman is a victim of physical abuse and harm at the hands of their husband and in-laws then this act not only provides for relief to the hurt woman but also provides compensation for the hurt and harm that her marital family has caused her, albeit it is condition to the whether or not the court thinks it is fair that compensation should be granted.

The Domestic violence act is not just limited to married women but also extends to the women involved in live-in relationships for a significant period and gives them equal rights as a married woman. Any woman who is a victim of domestic violence, apart from medical and economical compensation can also claim maintenance for herself and her child under this act and this even includes the child born to a couple living in a live-in relationship.

Adv. Shweta Prabhu makes the parties aware of the various laws available for their rescue and alternatively discourages women from taking disadvantage of such women-centric laws which may aggravate the situation and end up in the revenge and game of vengeance rather than an amicable closure of the marital discord.